Method and apparatus for inserting articles into packages

Apparatus for inserting articles into packages, comprising:

• a dispensing assembly including
• (i) a dispenser body defining a loading chamber for holding the articles, an inlet for conducting the articles into the loading chamber, and an outlet for dispensing the articles from the loading chamber,
• (ii) a gate connected to the dispenser body for movement between a closed position, wherein the gate extends across the outlet of the dispenser body to hold the articles in the loading chamber, and an open position to allow the articles to pass through the outlet of the dispenser body, and
• (iii) actuating means to move the gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense articles into the packages from the dispenser body;
• and
• a feeding assembly extending adjacent the inlet of the dispenser body for receiving the articles from a source thereof and transporting the articles into the inlet of the dispenser body;
• wherein the packages move past the dispenser body one package at a time, and the apparatus further comprises a control assembly connected to the dispensing assembly and to the feeding assembly to operate the dispensing and feeding assemblies so that each time one of the packages moves past the dispenser body, a respective one of the articles is inserted into the one package and a respective another of the articles is transported into the dispenser body;
• said feeding assembly including
• (i) a conveyor belt including a plurality of compartments for receiving the articles, and supported for movement along a predetermined path extending adjacent the inlet of the dispenser body, and
• (ii) drive means connected to the conveyor belt to move said conveyor belt around the predetermined path to deposit the articles into the dispenser body from the compartments of the conveyor belt;
• said control assembly including
• (i) a first sensor to generate a first signal when one of the packages reaches a predetermined position adjacent the dispensing assembly,
• (ii) a second sensor located adjacent the conveyor belt to generate a second signal each time one of the compartments of the conveyor belt reaches a given position, and
• (iii) means connected to the first and second sensors to receive the first and second signals therefrom;
• and in response to receiving said first signal, (1) to operate the dispensing assembly to move the gate to the open position to dispense one of the articles into said one package, and (2) to operate the feeding assembly to feed another one of the articles into the dispenser body;
• and in response to receiving said second signal, to stop movement of the conveyor belt to prevent a further one of the articles from being deposited in the dispenser body while said another of the articles is therein.